Newspaper & Mailroom
Washington Times Debuts Prototype of New Web Site
Tuesday 20. May 2008 - The Washington Times has unveiled a prototype of its new Web site for readers to "test drive" prior to launch of the live site. The redesigned Web site was created in response to reader request for more control over how they consume their news.
The Washington Times LLC is evolving from a newspaper enterprise to a full media company offering news 24/7. In addition to the new Web site, readers will see other innovations beginning with a June 2 launch of a redesigned print edition and an electronic replica of the print newspaper. Readers will then be greeted by a redesigned and robust Sunday edition, on June 8.
Today’s prototype debut includes an instructional video with screen shots of the new Web site, a slide show, Frequently Asked Questions, and access to the prototype site at www.washingtontimes.com/beta.
Readers can “do the flip” with The Times’ innovative News Cube on the homepage. The Cube lets readers choose a top news story by flipping the cube horizontally, or drill deeper into a single story by flipping the cube vertically to find related information, expert analysis and video archives.
Readers will have immediate access to 400,000 story topics or News Themes each day. These News Themes collect Washington Times stories written since 1999, live content from the current newspaper, wire service reports and relevant material from the Web. Each theme is narrowly focused to suit reader interests, whether it’s politics, the military, family issues, or video games. Articles contain live links to the various related Themes.
A new video player and Web interactive features include original shows and interviews from the Times’ newsroom.
The new “Ask a Question” feature lets readers send a question from a story page to other readers and experts across the globe via AOL’s Yedda network and get an answer back.
There will also be WashingtonTimes.com social networking communities, centered around specific news topics and run by civilian “mayors” who function as the bloggers-in-chief and moderators.
Readers can communicate to Times editors and reporters as well as to other readers. News from The Washington Times will no longer be a one-way monologue, due to the new web site that leapfrogs over what other news sites are offering their readers.